Senior Project Manager (retail)📣 Job Ad

About the Role

WSP in the Middle East is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the strategic delivery of complex, multi-disciplinary projects, with a primary focus on retail and mixed-use developments. This full-time position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and requires 5-10 years of professional experience. The role involves managing projects from concept through to completion, ensuring alignment with client objectives and operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead project initiation, including contract finalization, team mobilization, and scope definition across all disciplines.
• Manage project contracts, ensuring compliance with obligations and deliverables, and lead the appointment and coordination of sub-consultants.
• Oversee scope changes, including preparation, negotiation, and agreement of variations with the client.
• Act as the primary interface with clients, operators, tenants, and key stakeholders, managing complex stakeholder environments.
• Provide clear leadership to establish a high-performing team culture and manage client engagement, including executive-level reporting.
• Develop and proactively manage detailed programmes aligned with retail delivery and tenant fit-out requirements, identifying and mitigating risks.
• Lead multidisciplinary design coordination from concept through construction support, ensuring alignment with brand standards and operational needs.
• Establish and lead the project Risk Register, identifying and implementing mitigation strategies for key risks.
• Manage all commercial aspects of projects, including budget, financial reporting, invoicing, and cost tracking.
• Oversee project delivery through to completion, coordinating phased handovers and ensuring smooth transition to construction teams.
• Lead project close-out, ensuring all deliverables, approvals, and documentation are complete.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• 10+ years of professional experience, with a strong focus on retail, mixed-use, or commercial developments.
• Proven track record delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects from concept through to construction support.
• Demonstrable experience in retail delivery, including tenant coordination and fit-out integration.
• Experience working with major developers, operators, or retail brands is preferred.
• Experience managing large, multidisciplinary teams and multiple stakeholders.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and ability to operate at a senior, client-facing level.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder management, particularly within complex retail environments.
• Commercial acumen and contractual awareness.
• Strong programme and risk management capability.
• Ability to drive quality, coordination, and technical excellence.
• Collaborative and proactive communication style.
• Ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of health and safety in design.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The role requires operating with a high degree of autonomy and providing leadership across multiple workstreams.